Six players to face Group Three judiciary

Players become involved in a flareup during the Wingham-Taree City match at the Jack Neal Oval. This was not the incident that resulted in three players being sent off and another two being cited.

FIVE players will face the Group Three Rugby League judiciary on Thursday night following an ugly brawl at the conclusion of the game between Taree City and Wingham at the Jack Neal Oval last Saturday.

Three players – Wingham’s Joel Kliendienst and Shannon Ellem along with Taree City’s Ash Currey – were sent off by refereee Cory Richardson.

Two more Wingham players, centre Tim Bridge and five-eighth Kurt Lewis have been cited by the group’s match review committee.

A sixth player, Taree City’s Shane Went, who was sent off in the reserve grade match, will also front the judiciary.

Bridge has pleaded guilty to a high tackle charge, but will be seeking a downgrade. Went is also seeking a downgrade on his charge.

Lewis will face charges of striking a player on the ground.

The group match committee members had to travel to Port Macquarie to view NBN Television footage of the incident before citing Bridge and Lewis. The committee initially watched footage supplied by Taree City on Monday.

“This didn’t sufficiently show in the incident,’’ Group Three chief executive Barrie Smith, who was at the game, said.

“So we went to Port to see it on Tuesday.’’

Mr Smith confirmed the Wingham club has challenged the citings, claiming the players weren’t notified by 5pm on Monday, as is the requirement.

However, Mr Smith said Bridge and Lewis will have to attend the hearing and it will then be up to the club if they take any further action. He said the club can take the matter to the Country Rugby League.

Wingham will play competition leaders Port City at Port Macquarie on Saturday.